Result: 97th New England Open Shooting Dog Championship and Region 1 Amateur All-Age Cha

Location: East Windsor, Connecticut

Post Date: Jun 2, 2026

Submitted By: John Olfson

New England Open Championship (l-r): Bill Bonnetti, Tom Tracy, Matt Basilone, Ed McCay with Mohawk Mill Gangster, Tony Bingham, George Tracy with Miller's Heat Seeker, Amilcar Pereira, Mary Tracy, and Robert "Lefty" Henry.

The 97th New England Open Championship commenced Monday, April 27, at 8 a.m. in cool overcast conditions. The New Britain Field Trial Club and the Association of New England Field Trial Clubs host the Championship. It is the first of three consecutive events that we promote as "New England's Spring Fling Triple Header."

In 1927, the Massachusetts Fish and Game Association conceived the idea of having the New England Bird Dog Championship. After attempts in 1927 and 1928 to produce a champion (no champion declared), our present-day association, the Association of New England Field Trial Clubs, was formed to conduct the championship in 1929. However, no champion was declared, primarily due to the first heavy snow and plummeting temperature. Finally, the 1930 running produced an outstanding winner when Miss Magpie of Ware, a white and black pointer female, owned by Augustus B. Field, handled by L. B. Chapman, delivered a flawless 1 -hour race, with six stylish grouse finds to become the first New England Bird Dog Champion.

Beginning in 1934 and through 1949, the New England Bird Dog Championship was held on Hall of Famer (1959), W. Lee White's farm, also known as "Championship Game Preserve."
Lee White's Pinch Street homestead in Scotland, Connecticut, held grouse and woodcock, as well as wild quail and pheasant.

In the early years, there seemed to be a division between the traditional, close-hunting New England grouse dogs and the more wide-ranging Southern type of dog. Initially, qualifying stakes were held for the respective different type dogs. Eventually, a compromise was reached, stabilizing standards. Stabilizing resulted in the field trial dog we know today, which proved to be a better bird finder than the traditional dog.

In 1967, the event settled in at Hall of Famer (1987), Harry Townshend's Ragged Hill Farm in Pomfret, Connecticut, where it thrived for 47 years.

In 1972, for the first time in the history of the event, the Directors conceded to allow the limited use of horses by the handlers, and this move brought in a record entry at that time of 51 dogs. Hall of Famer Harold Ray (2006) won with the Hall of Fame setter Tomoka (1974).
After Harry's passing, the event moved to its present location, the Dr. John E. Flaherty Field Trial Area in East Windsor, Connecticut.

Judges Robert "Lefty" Henry of Jacksonville, North Carolina, and Tony Bingham of Shelby, North Carolina, named pointer male Mohawk Mill Gangster champion and pointer male Miller's Heat Seeker runner-up champion. Both dogs have earned multiple championships. Matt Basilone handled Gangster, who ran a huge race with four finds, always classy on point, exhibiting snappy moves. Especially the move rimming the edge all the way around, Dearborn always hunting. To me, this was the winning move that separated the champion from the runner-up. Congratulations to owners Ed and Megan McCay.

Heat Seeker ran an extreme forward race, while still handling nicely for George Tracy, producing several finds. Muriel and Bill Primm, together with Dennis Hood and the Millers, are the owners of Heat Seeker.

Many thanks to 2025 Champion Miller's Special Cinderella owners Muriel and Bill Primm for hosting the handlers' dinner.

We thank Greg Blair and Purina for their continued support. We are proud to award Pro Plan Sport to the winners. We all appreciate Purina's support for all sporting breeds; they are second to none.

The source of the event history mentioned came from a publication Gene Casale provided: the 50th Golden Anniversary New England Bird Dog Championship, written by Frank E. Foss.

East Windsor, Conn., April 27
Judges: Tony Bingham and Robert Henry
NEW ENGLAND OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 29 Pointers and 4 Setters
Winner-MOHAWK MILL GANGSTER, F1685479, pointer male, by Mohawk Mill Pirate's Legacy-Katie Lee's Wild Side. Edward & Megan McCay, owners; Matt Basilone, handler.
Runner-Up-MILLER'S HEAT SEEKER, F1674886, pointer male, by Just Irresistible-Miller's Bring The Heat. Dennis Hood & Bill & Muriel Primm, owners; George Tracy, handler.

Region 1 Amateur All-Age Championship
The Region 1 Amateur All-Age Championship commenced Saturday, April 25, in East Windsor, Connecticut, at the Dr. John E. Flaherty Field Trial Area, with judges John Stolgitis and Doug Ray mounted and ready for action. John and Doug are experienced pointing dog handlers and judges with a great deal of championship experience. We are most appreciative that they accepted the assignment.

Under the joint effort of the Dr. John E. Flaherty Field Trial Clubs Association, and its President, Rich Murph, as well as the State of Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, Eastern District Wildlife Biologist Ann Kilpatrick, the grounds were in as good condition as could be expected. We are thankful and appreciate this continued joint effort.
Pointer male Waybetter Bobby was named champion. Owned and handled by Robert Verderosa, Bobby ran a dream race for any handler, requiring little handling. This exceptional dog led his handler around the course, making bold moves along the outer edges, hunted his way all the way around, producing several classy finds. I've seen him several times, and I remember one of his classy early performances when he was campaigned by Janette Tracy. We named him first, and I knew he had a bright future.

Pointer male Mohawk Mill Patriot was named runner-up champion. He is owned by Ed and Megan McCay and was handled by Ed. He ran a true all-age race, making snappy moves, hunting, taking edges, and was very classy on point.
Greg Blair and Purina provided Pro Plan Sport to the winners. Thanks again, and we appreciate the ongoing support.

Many thanks to Jane Fogerty and John Stolgitis for preparing all the delicious meals throughout the entire Spring Fling Triple Header.

Many thanks to our association President and Region 1 Trustee, Eli Richardson, for providing his three fine walking horses-- Mosses, Smokie, and Shadow--for the entire time. They were very helpful.

Thanks to all participants, and we look forward to seeing everyone next year.

Judges: Doug Ray and John Stolgitis
REGION 1 AMATEUR ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 17 Pointers and 2 Setters
Winner-WAYBETTER BOBBY, F1682880, pointer male, by Waybetter Rocky-Nehawka Amazin Sue. Robert Verderosa, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-MOHAWK MILL PATRIOT, F1703194, pointer male, by Indian Creek Spur-Hirollins Fantasy Girl. Edward & Megan McCay, owners; Edward McCay, handler.

Region 1 Amateur All-Age Championship (l-r): Bill Bonnetti, Mary Tracy, Joe Lordi, Wendy Tracy, Bob Verderosa with Waybetter Bobby, John Stolgitis, Ed McCay, Marcus Ramseur with Mohawk Mill Patriot, Matt Basilone, Doug Ray, Zaynah Tracy, George Tracy, and Gary Tavares.